Camera Phone

My company was nice enough to pony up and get
me a new Blackberry. I do love the versatility of the technology, but sometimes, I can't help but cringe when I hear the "ping" of new emails and always being "connected."

On the fun side, I have been taking some pictures and videos of the boys. Here are a few of the ones I downloaded. The videos of them playing (in the tub and on the chair) are the most fun.

Happy Birthday To Me!

It is now almost bedtime on my 35th birthday. Today was rather uneventful, but we have been celebrating for three days. On Friday, Mimi came to keep the boys so my sweet husband and I could have a night away. We had a very nice dinner and then spent the night in a cabin at a nearby park. Todd built a huge campfire and we actually had almost four hours of uninterrupted adult conversation. I can't remember the last time that happened. What a wonderful birthday gift! We slept in a little on Saturday morning and had a nice country breakfast before returning home to relieve my mom.

Saturday was pretty laid back. My in laws were supposed to visit but my poor mother in law has been diagnosed with pneumonia. We are praying for a speedy recovery.

Then Sunday evening I was able to spend the evening in praise and worship at this awesome event with this amazing woman speaking between songs. I got to fellowship with two of my best friends in the world, JMom and Suzy. These friendships go back over 20 years now. What a blessing to spend time with good friends worshiping the Lord!!

Tonight we wrapped up with a yummy sushi dinner...me, Todd and two high chairs at the sushi bar. Back to the real world tomorrow. No more being lazy in the name of "It's my birthday."

History In The Making

As I was reflecting on this day in history, the inauguration of Barack Obama, I felt led to document it somehow on this blog. I know I will tell my children of this someday, how when they were only one, the first African-American president was elected. And although I know there will be policy decisions that go against what I believe, I am still proud of this country and proud to be living in a country where things like this are possible. My good friend JMom composed a beautiful letter to the president that is much more eloquent than anything I could have written. Below is a copy of her letter.

Dear President Obama,

Today is truly a landmark day. It feels trite to even write about it because the press coverage has inundated us with reminders of what a shift this marks in the turbulent race relations this country has experienced throughout our history. I am proud of the advances we have made.

I did not vote for you, but I believe in a Sovereign Lord who appoints leaders. I will respect your position and your office. I do not hold ill will towards you, but instead I pray for you.

I pray that you will submit to the authority of The One who put you in office in the first place. There will be constant public opinion polls, water cooler chatter and talking heads espousing their views of your performance. I pray that the approval you seek will be from God alone.

I pray that you will remember the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr and Abraham Lincoln, the two leaders you seem to seek to emulate the most. I pray that you will embrace their quest for equal rights. I pray that you will come to understand this as a call to protect ALL LIVES equally--including the unborn lives in this country.

I pray that you will be protected from the lies and the enemy, the intoxicating ill-effects of power and the human tendency to think of ourselves more highly than we ought.

I pray that the astounding swell of public support that you have (both from the media and many citizens of our world) will not go to your head but will, instead, go to your heart. I pray that you have appropriate confidence, but that you do not believe the hype about yourself. May you be a leader people follow not because they have to, but because they want to.

May your wisdom and strength come from the Lord. May your heart be tender towards the love and will of our Father.

I pray for your marriage and your family--that despite the intense glare of the media spotlight you will be able to have a home that is a haven of love, peace and rest.

May you be a leader who models integrity--who stands for things that count.

In short, I pray you don't blow it. But when you do make the inevitable mistakes, I pray you will be able to own up to them.

And finally, I pray that you will find your identity...not as a black man, a mixed race man, but as an American...and more importantly, as a dearly loved child of God placed in this position at this time for specific purposes. May you find your purpose and embrace it.

Happy 20 Months!

The boys came into this world 20 months ago today. I really cannot believe it's been almost two years since they were born. We are experiencing such a fun time with them right now, that I thought I better sit down for a few minutes and document it.

Parks is a little live wire. He has truly turned into a fun little spunky boy in the last couple of months. He wants to be the center of attention most all of the time. He's beginning to want to run everywhere instead of walk. He wants to go outside every opportunity he gets and it doesn't bother him at all if it's 30 degrees. He is saying more and more words everyday, including moon ("moo"), ball ("ba), diaper ("diader"), Pooh ("boo"), Dante ("nana") and bro bro ("bo bo"), his name for his brother. He's not talking very much yet, we usually have to ask him to say these words, but we're getting there.

Wyatt is a sweetheart. He is for the most part, a very easy child. He loves to laugh and has the best little belly laugh I've ever heard. He loves to push things around. Pretty much anything he can whether it be their wagon or our office chair. He too wants to be outside all of the time and loves the moon and the stars. He is saying many of the same words as Parks, but uses them very sparingly.

They both love Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Baby Signing Times and have mastered many different signs. We're currently working on the signs "to share" and "I'm sorry" as all we do these days is steal each others toys. Our favorite book is "The Moon Shines Down" by the same author as "Goodnight Moon." We love splashing in the bathtub and playing rough with Daddy, especially on the sofa.

This really has been such an enjoyable time for us. I only wish I could spend more time with them. I know that time will pass very quickly and we'll soon be moving on to the "terrible two's." I am trying my hardest to enjoy every moment I do have with them.